Some of the recipes I've done this year have been a bit out of the norm for me. One of the reasons I love crockpot cooking so much is that you don't really need to follow a recipe---many times I can just start opening cans and clean out the fridge and create a delicious meal without trying.

This is one of those meals.

We had too much food in the house for me to feel comfortable buying more, so I dug through what we had on hand, threw it in the pot, held my breath, and hoped for the best.

I was quite happy with the results.

I urge you to do the same in your house. Just play. Dig through the cubbard and see if what you already have on hand can be combined to become a new family favorite.

Cooking should be fun. When preparing dinner becomes a chore --and it's no longer fun-- that's when you reach for the phone to call for pizza.The reason the crockpot has become such an invaluable tool in our house, is because I can make-do (usually. this year has turned a tad bit nutty) with pantry staples, or with meat I buy on clearance.

You can, too.

The Ingredients.2 cans (6oz) tomato paste3 cans of beans, drained and rinsed (I used garbanzo, white kidney, black beans)1 tables spoons Italian seasoning1 chopped yellow onion2 cloves chopped or minced garlic2 cups broth (I used chicken. vegetable would work great)1 to 2 tablespoons (heaping) sliced jalapenos from a jar or can (optional) (NOTE: if feeding small children, add at the table ---it was too hot for my kids when cooked with the beans)

The Directions.

Open cans. Rinse the beans, and dump them into the crockpot. Add all the rest of the stuff---there aren't any rules, here.

Except to recycle the cans.

Cook on low for 8-10 hours.

The Verdict.

This was too spicy for the kids, but Adam and I really liked it a lot, and each had two bowls. We had it with cornbread, that you could make in the crockpot, if you wanted to.

I liked this. I needed to get back to my crockpot cooking "roots"---and it felt nice for me to make things up as I go along again.

20 comments:

I have just recently discovered your blog! It is wonderful! You are the most clever woman I know! You have me addicted! I love to cook and I love my crockpot too! So...your blog is right up my alley! Everytime I run into someone who says they can't cook, I ask...do you have a crockpot? So glad I met you and I will be introducing you to ALL of my friends!

I have been following your blog since the rachel ray episode- it's great stuff and I check daily! I just found it funny that you made chili, I made chili yesterday and was hoping for a crock pot recipe but didn't really find one I liked...so i made it on the stove. Now I have a better idea of the method for chili in the crock so I will be trying out your recipie next time! Oh- I also made mine with a corn bread topping (made with cream corn and an egg, not like the reg directions). Thanks for the great blog!

that's so crazy! i made chili yesterday too because i was sick of buying food! i had to dump and plug in and leave. oh and ive only had my crockpot for 2 weeks and the lid broke. we have the same one as yours, have you had problems with the lid?

We love doing chili in the crock pot. Yesterday we had meatloaf in the CP and the fam. loved it. I've got an Australian dish (Slow-Cooked chicken with Coconut and Whole spices) that I'm ready to try in the CP. I've not made your tapioca yet, but things have been kinda crazy here. Thanks for sharing!

i had garbanzo, red kidney, and great northern beans. substituted beef broth for chicken.....and my tomato paste was expired but i threw it in there anyways. it wont kill me...right? LOL. anyways, just threw everything in, i'll let u know how it turns out tomorrow.

I just got my crockpot today. I won it here... it is everything you adverised... I am so happy... THANK YOU!!! All my friends read your blog and they hate me! I cannot wait for the next potluck at work... so I can work my locking lid.

I come to your site EVERYDAY!! I have tried many recipes and I want to try this one on the weekend. I was curious though, if I wanted to add beef or chicken to this, how would I do it? Would I add the raw meet with everything else? Can you tell that I am new to crockpot chili cooking? lol

Thank you so much for the help and once again .... I LOVE THIS SITE!!!!

if you are using really lean meat, go ahead and crumble in the raw meat--it will cook just fine in the crock. if your meat isn't very lean, or you feel more comfortable with browning on the stovetop and draining, you can add the already-cooked meat. It will take on the flavors in the pot quite nicely.

Do you have any good recipes for gluten-free corn bread? I'm having a hard time finding a good one. I LOVE your blog, by the way. Your recipes are SO good! Thanks for inspiring many delicious dinners at our house. You rock!

1 lb ground meat - your choice1 jar salsa ( I like one with mango or pineapple in it!)1 can tomato paste1 can tomato sauce2 cans beans...whatever color pleases youand then I add whatever veggies I have handy...corn, green beans, whatever! It cooks for a few hours on high and is delicious. :)

I haven't had much luck with the crockpot but am giving it another shot, starting with this recipe.

Except I had a frozen chicken piece in my freezer that I put in at the bottom to use it up - and I used diced tomatoes and tomato puree instead of paste (so I used slighly less broth than 2 cups)

And one whole jalapeno (pickled) because didn't have um sliced ones.

So...here is hoping. I would love some more mexican recipes such as enchilada type casserole type things, and will be trying your recipes over the next few months as winter comes (i'm in Australia where we don't have tomatillos or rotel!! I haven't worked out what I'm going to do about that yet)

This is a way cool Recipe...I didnt have everything you had but here is what my pantry had and im pretty sure its gonna be a BOMBASTIC SWEET CHILLI!!!2 cans tomato PasteA can of Campbells French Onion SoupCan of Chicken Broth

Large can of Whole Tomato's rinsed good sliced up with scissors cuz i'm lazy

1lg can and 1 sm can(10.5oz) of Van Kamps Pork N Beans Rinsed (all the beans i had in my pantry)=sweet flavor